As you grow older friendships become harder and harder to form. By friendship I mean a true friend, with someone you build a real and lasting bond with. For me personally I can count my true friends (ya know the ones I wouldn't mind being stuck on a island with) on less than two hands. That is why I was so lucky to form such a quick and easy friendship with Vanessa.
Vanessa and I both worked for Samsung in different cities. She being the Colorado Rep and I am of course in Seattle. Through fb, calls/texts, and a sales meeting we soon realized we were both badasses. However, she is amazingly artistic and decided to put all her energy and passion into redesigning furniture rather than work for Samsung. Although this broke my heart it gave me an opportunity to fly to Colorado to take her place for a work meeting she would no longer be attending.
It was a quick trip but we got just enough done to leave me wanting to come back and explore more of Colorado.
Day 1
One thing Vanessa and I share, is our love for food. We both love food; sweet food, salty food, all food. So on the first day in Colorado we simply shopped and ate delicious meals.
The most memorable place we went to was "Happy Cakes". It's an amazing cupcake place in Denver and you will be hard pressed to find better cupcakes elsewhere.
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This is her "Cupcake" face |
For dinner Vanessa's husband made us a huge amazing meal. He is such an incredible cook so the food was pneumonal. Thanks Justin!
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Mojito's made fresh from Justin's organic garden |
Day 2
On day 2 Vanessa wanted to show me a Colorado hike and so she chose "Devil's Head".
Now Devil's Head is only a 3 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 940ft. Easy Peasy, or so it should have been for this hiking girl. Funny story, about 3 minutes into the hike I had to stop to take a break. Then throughout the hike every 5 minutes or so I had to stop. I could not breathe and my vision was covered in black dots. Vanessa was doubting my skills as a "avid hiker" as I had explained to her. Her husband later explained that I wasn't in horrible shape but rather couldn't handle the high elevation. I'm still not sure that Vanessa believes in my hiking abilities...
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Had to climb this beauty of a stair case before finishing up the hike. |
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Made it! |
We had so much fun during my Colorado trip we quickly made plans for Vanessa to come visit me in Seattle. Although Vanessa hates cloudy days she braved the weather to come see me in early December.
Seattle Day 1
The first day in Seattle was a very low key day. Vanessa arrived in the late afternoon so I decided to give her a tour of my old neighborhood.
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You always have to see the Neighborhood Troll. Although Vanessa remembers the story through Cam's dinosaur book rather than trolls. |
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I never tire of this view from the Fremont Bridge |
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Theo Chocolate! Fremont original! |
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Finally tried Hot Cakes molten chocolate and Butter Beer. |
Day 2
Day 2 was our official full day in Seattle. So we decided to do all the fun touristy things we could fit into one day!
The First thing these two Starbucks Junkies did was visit the original Starbucks! This was my first time to actually get to go into the First Starbucks and enjoy a coffee.
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Vanessa ready to get into the warm Starbucks for a cup of Joe! |
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Ok So we didn't actually get Coffee but I introduced Vanessa to the Soy (no water) Chai. Best drink ever! |
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Delicious! |
After getting our coffee and getting free samples at every shop that would allow it we landed at the entrance of Pike's Place Market.
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Don't worry she only pushed 3 kids out of the way to get a photo op with the Pike Place Pig. |
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Gum Wall!!! Can you taste it in the air? Gross! |
Overall seeing Pike's place with Vanessa was a completely different experience. We had time to try out samples and see all the nooks and cranny's of the market I've never had the time to see. I love that with each friend that visits it is a completely different experience!
Next stop ...Space Needle
One of the only photos Vanessa and I got together was at the top of the Space Needle. Thank you creepy bald guy!
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It was cold but worth the view! |
Once we got done with the Space Needle it was time for a delicious Seattle meal so we ventured over to Capital Hill to try a Seattle dog. Now if you haven't had the honor of trying a Seattle dog it contains a regular hot dog topped with cream cheese, mustard, onions, and crispy bacon. Seriously the best hot dog you will ever eat.
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Challenge accepted |
After lunch we ventured over to Pacific Place Mall and shopped till we dropped and then enjoyed one of the best cupcakes Seattle has to offer.
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Strawberry Lemonade was our first victim |
Day 3
Despite the cool weather Vanessa and I were determined to go hiking. Although it is a 4 hour drive we decided the Olympic Peninsula was the place to see. We woke up early and hopped on the first ferry out of Seattle.
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Cold and Foggy Seattle still wins my heart |
Our first stop in the Olympic Peninsula (other than Starbucks) was Marymere falls. Marymere falls is about 30 minutes outside of Port Angeles, a short 2 mile rt hike with a beautiful view at the end.
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Marymere Falls Trail |
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Before heading onto the trail Vanessa made some deer friends. She got about 5 feet away. |
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That's right, she's a tree hugger. |
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Marymere Falls |
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Tried to get a group selfie! |
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Grrr! She's ready to take on a bear! |
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She fell asleep waiting for me to get the perfect shot. |
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Ah look Vanessa found some Kinfolk. |
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The beauty of the NorthWest is unlike any other |
On our way to to our next stop we landed in Forks, WA. Although Vanessa isn't much of a Twilight fan she still had to take a picture in front of the Famous sign.
Our next adventure for the day was the HOH Rainforest. They have several trails you can venture down but to save on time we did the Hall of Mosses, a quick trail that encompasses the beauty of the rainforest.
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Since climbing the tree didn't work out too well she found a hole to climb into....sort of |
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We aren't scared of a little wet bark and freezing cold water. OK maybe I was...
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We captured this in one shot folks. | | |
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"YooHOO Anybody home?" |
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"No? Ok then it's my hole now." |
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Pictured here you can find the "Vanessa" in her natural habitat. |
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Eerily beautiful |
Finally we made it out of the Rain Forest and sped to the Coast before the night stole away the final rays of sunshine. It wasn't exactly the view of the coast I was hoping for but we had fun anyway!
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Ready to attack any Sea Urchins that might come to shore |
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Yep this was the beach, the water was trying to attack us! |
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Wicked coastal view |
The day was full of plenty of adventures and a ton of laughs. We ended the night after a 4 hour drive home with Seattle's best pizza "Pagilacci's".
Day 4
On the final day we decided to just relax and recoup. First thing in the morning we went for a run around Green Lake to help burn off some of the cupcakes we had devoured during the week.
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You can't beat a morning run at Green Lake |
Late that night we enjoyed the famous "Paseo" sandwich right by the shore in Ballard.
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This Caribbean Sandwich is Vanessa approved. |
Overall the trip was an absolute success full of laughs and adventures. I am so blessed to call Vanessa one of my best friends. She is funny, giving, and full of energy! I cannot wait until our next trip.....New Orleans, Vegas, NYC? See you next time girl!
How beautiful!! I can't wait to see you in a few days!! I'm sorry I'm making you go to all the touristy places again!!
ReplyDeleteHaha I don't mind!! I love Seattle and all the touristy places!!! Can't wait for our trip!
ReplyDeleteLove this! We need to return soon to see more!
ReplyDeleteYes Andie you do!!! If you come during the summer you will be in absolute love with the Northwest!
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